Time to Laugh: My Top 5 Netflix Comedy Specials

Knock knock!

Who’s there?

To be honest, I don’t have a good answer for you, I’ll leave that to the professionals.

Speaking of professionals, as someone who likes to laugh and has a Netflix subscription, I consider myself to be one in the field of watching comedy specials.

During this tough time of uncertainty and social distancing, Netflix and other streaming services have been working overtime in providing a nice distraction.

Below is a list of my top five comedy specials available on Netflix. All of these specials have made it to my rewatch list. Hopefully you enjoy them too!

If none of these pique your interest, check out this article by uproxx where they ranked the top 25 specials on netflix!

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1. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City

Video via YouTube, courtesy of Netflix.

Kid Gorgeous, the last solo stand up special from John Mulaney is filled with stories from his childhood and early professional days working at SNL. His delivery of speech is half of what makes it funny, paired with his content and facial expressions, this is sure to be a classic for anyone.

2. Mike Birbiglia: Thank God for Jokes

Video via YouTube, courtesy of Netflix.

The title of this special says it best, Thank God for Jokes. Mike Birbiglia’s nuanced facial expressions and strategically placed soft toned voice, makes this special one that I wish I could watch for the first time over and over again.

3. Seth Meyers, Lobby Baby

Video via YouTube, courtesy of Netflix.

Seth Meyers’ poses the all important question in this special - can you love a lobby baby the same amount as a hospital born baby? If this makes no sense to you, please watch this special. Myers’ time on SNL has allowed him to expertly deliver jokes to any audience and write content that is out of this world.

4. Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry

Video via YouTube, courtesy of Netflix.

Sebastian Maniscalco has been very successful for a long time, but has recently garnered a new set of fans with his specials going viral. His facial expressions and movements are sometimes funnier than the jokes. As an Italian myself, watching this has made me cry from laughter.

5. Neal Brennan: 3 Mics

Video via YouTube, courtesy of Netflix.

Neal Brennan tugs on the emotional strings in this special, moving between three different microphones on the stage dedicated to different types of pieces - One Liners, Stand Up and Emotional Stuff. I was hanging on to every word he was saying, truly one of my favourite specials.

HONOURABLE MENTION

Oh, Hello On Broadway

Video via YouTube, courtesy of Netflix.

Honourable mention! Oh, Hello on Broadway is from the minds of John Mulaney and Nick Kroll. This professionally filmed stage piece was a hit on the great white way and is a mix of everything that’s weird. Not for everyone, but if you can get into it, I promise you’ll laugh.

Let me know in the comments or on social media (IG: saras_stage) if these made your own personal list or any other recommendations you have!

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